* Labor costs: This varies widely by location (rural vs. urban), shop (dealership vs. independent mechanic), and the mechanic's hourly rate. Expect to pay anywhere from $50-$200+ per hour. The job itself might take 1-3 hours depending on access and the truck's year and model.
* Parts cost: The price of a U-joint itself depends on the brand (OEM, aftermarket like Mopar, NAPA, etc.) and whether you buy just the joint or a pre-assembled yoke. Expect to pay anywhere from $20-$100+ per U-joint. A 2500 likely has a driveshaft with multiple joints, so multiply that cost accordingly.
* Driveshaft condition: If the driveshaft itself is damaged or worn, you might need to replace that as well, adding several hundred dollars to the cost. A shop might recommend this if the U-joint failure caused further damage.
* Additional repairs: Sometimes, U-joint replacement reveals other issues that need attention, driving up the total cost.
Rough Estimate:
A *reasonable* estimate for replacing one or two U-joints on a Dodge Ram 2500 could range from $200 to $800 or more. This is a very broad range, and the actual cost could easily fall outside of it.
To get an accurate estimate:
The best approach is to contact several local mechanics or dealerships and describe your vehicle and the problem. Ask for a detailed breakdown of labor and parts costs before agreeing to any work. Getting multiple quotes will help you find the most competitive price.
